WINDOW FOR SUBMISSIONS IS CLOSED.
Participate
ELIGIBILITY
All pannists around the world are eligible to take part in this project. You will need the following to participate:
1. Register: If you are new to the Virtual Steelband, please click here to register so you can receive
important updates on participating in Virtual Steelband II.
2. An instrument: a tuned steelpan of any voice or percussive instrument (iron, congas etc.)
3. Music scores: needed to learn and perform "Pan Kingdom"
4. A video recording device of high quality (1080p or higher): a video camera, smart phone, tablet, computer etc.
All pannists around the world are eligible to take part in this project. You will need the following to participate:
1. Register: If you are new to the Virtual Steelband, please click here to register so you can receive
important updates on participating in Virtual Steelband II.
2. An instrument: a tuned steelpan of any voice or percussive instrument (iron, congas etc.)
3. Music scores: needed to learn and perform "Pan Kingdom"
4. A video recording device of high quality (1080p or higher): a video camera, smart phone, tablet, computer etc.
step 1: Download music
Download the part you would like to perform and practice with the audio tracks given. There are audio files available for each part at three different tempos: slow (70), medium (90), and the tempo of the final performance (110).
MUSIC IS UNAVAILABLE AFTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE.
STEP 2: video RECORD MUSIC
VIDEO RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS
A. Find an acoustically advantageous space with no background noise to do your recording. In most cases this means a space with as little reverberation as possible: carpeted floors, acoustic tile ceiling, or irregular walls with drapes. The room should sound "dead" when you perform. Be sure to switch off any noisy air conditioning units or loud clocks etc.
B. Set up your camera on a tripod or a stable surface.
C. Angle yourself and your pan within the frame of the camera so that you are facing toward the right of the frame. In other words, the camera should be recording the right side of your body, and some of your hand movement within the instrument should be visible. The top of the camera frame should be above your head and the bottom of the camera frame should be just below your pan. Shoot using a landscape angle. See image below.
B. Set up your camera on a tripod or a stable surface.
C. Angle yourself and your pan within the frame of the camera so that you are facing toward the right of the frame. In other words, the camera should be recording the right side of your body, and some of your hand movement within the instrument should be visible. The top of the camera frame should be above your head and the bottom of the camera frame should be just below your pan. Shoot using a landscape angle. See image below.
D. Record with HD quality or the best settings on your camera.
E. Using earbuds or headphones, perform your part along with the audio track provided with your score. It is important that you use the final tempo (110) audio track and not a metronome. See Step 1 above to download the audio track. The camera should not be able to capture the sound of the audio track, but only the sound from your instrument. Be sure to record the entire arrangement from beginning to end. If you are submitting a portion of the piece, please include from the beginning or a portion to the end. After you have finished playing the last note, stand still until the final note has completely faded away.
F. Once you are pleased with your recording, label your file using the following format:
Instrument_City_State (if needed)_Country_Full Name
For example: Double Seconds 2_Port of Spain_Trinidad and Tobago_Jane Doe
G. Proceed to Step 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
E. Using earbuds or headphones, perform your part along with the audio track provided with your score. It is important that you use the final tempo (110) audio track and not a metronome. See Step 1 above to download the audio track. The camera should not be able to capture the sound of the audio track, but only the sound from your instrument. Be sure to record the entire arrangement from beginning to end. If you are submitting a portion of the piece, please include from the beginning or a portion to the end. After you have finished playing the last note, stand still until the final note has completely faded away.
F. Once you are pleased with your recording, label your file using the following format:
Instrument_City_State (if needed)_Country_Full Name
For example: Double Seconds 2_Port of Spain_Trinidad and Tobago_Jane Doe
G. Proceed to Step 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
VIDEO RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR STEELBANDS
A. Find an acoustically advantageous space with no background noise to do your recording. In most cases this means a space with as little reverberation as possible: carpeted floors, acoustic tile ceiling, or irregular walls with drapes. The room should sound "dead" when you perform. Be sure to switch off any noisy air conditioning units or loud clocks etc.
B. Set up your camera on a tripod or a stable surface to the front middle of the orchestra at least 8 feet away capturing the entire band or as much of the band as possible. The taller the camera angle the better. This will make it easier to see every member of the steelband. If you have extra cameras, place them around the band capturing players that are more difficult to see in the front-middle camera. Shoot using landscape angles. See image below.
B. Set up your camera on a tripod or a stable surface to the front middle of the orchestra at least 8 feet away capturing the entire band or as much of the band as possible. The taller the camera angle the better. This will make it easier to see every member of the steelband. If you have extra cameras, place them around the band capturing players that are more difficult to see in the front-middle camera. Shoot using landscape angles. See image below.
C. Record with HD quality or the best settings on your camera(s).
D. Each steel band is required to record with a cowbell player in the engine room at minimum to assist with keeping the steady tempo of the piece. Using earbuds or headphones, the cowbell player should keep time for the ensemble. If possible, your engine room can use headphone splitters, that can allow multiple people to listen to the same track at the same time. This can be a better way to ensure the entire steelband sticks to the correct tempo. It is important that you use the final tempo (110) audio track and not a metronome. See Step 1 above to download the audio track. The camera should not be able to capture the sound of the audio track, but only the sound from your instruments. Be sure to record the entire arrangement from beginning to end. If you are submitting a portion of the piece, please include from the beginning or a portion to the end. After you have finished playing the last note, stand still until the final note has completely faded away.
Please note: Engine Room instruments should only include iron, congas, and cowbell. Please do not include drum set.
E. Once you are pleased with your recording, label your file using the following format:
Steelband Name_City_State (if needed)_Country_Director(s) Full Name
For example: Pastiche Steel Ensemble_Chicago_Illinois_United States_Jane Doe
F. Proceed to Step 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
STEP 3: UPLOAD VIDEO
A. Using a strong and steady internet connection, upload your video to our dropbox using the link below. You do not need a dropbox account to upload your video.
B. Please fill out the appropriate submission form.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JUNE 30TH, 2017 at 11:59PM EASTERN TIME (UTC-04:00)
STEP 4: Enjoy your performance
Congratulations! You have made it to the final step of the process, which means you have successfully uploaded your video and you now have the opportunity to enjoy the work you have done.
Virtual Steelband II will be premiered in November 2017.
Virtual Steelband II will be premiered in November 2017.